Pop science and longing for a sentimental ideal are leavened with a smattering of intriguing anecdotes.
Animal behaviorist Grandin and children’s author Koffsky collaborate on a rambling exploration of different kinds of thinkers.
Grandin was born in the 1940s, when, as an autistic kid, she was labeled “brain damaged,” yet she eventually earned a Ph.D. She credits much of her success to being an “object visual thinker.” Grandin’s definitions foreshadow the work’s troubles: They’re vague, rely heavily on the empirically unsupported framework of multiple intelligences, and omit any mention of growth mindset, while frequently referring to things that certain types of people are “good at” or “bad at” (which seems designed to limit rather than expand their horizons). In the strongest moments, the book presents oft-told anecdotes from Grandin’s own career. In its weakest, it devolves into lengthy praise of “geniuses”—almost entirely white men—who are depicted in glowing terms and neatly slotted into Grandin’s categories. Grandin also complains mightily about how the education system has worsened since she was young, but her admirable push for more practical, hands-on education is mired in non-specific complaints, inconsistencies, historical myths, and ignorance about contemporary education; only in the chapter on animal thinking does her expertise get the chance to shine. Grandin often seems out of touch with contemporary young people’s conversations around disability, identity, and activism; similarly, for a generation traumatized by school shootings and active shooter drills, praising Samuel Colt for an invention that allowed a gun “to be fired multiple times before it needed to be reloaded” may not land well.
Pop science and longing for a sentimental ideal are leavened with a smattering of intriguing anecdotes. (bibliography, image credits) (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
ISBN: 9780593352878
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Maybe it’s “awesome” to be average.
Champion table tennis player Syed begins this encouragement book by chronicling his own story of how he grew up believing he was average until he began to master the sport.
The goal of this book is to help kids realize that they needn’t necessarily be born with a certain gift or talent—that maybe success is a combination of hard work, the right mentors, and a strong support system. In the chapter “What’s Holding Me Back?” Syed offers a variety of ways a young person can begin to reflect on who they really are and define what their true passion may be. The following chapters stress the importance of practice, coping with pressure, and honoring mistakes as human rather than failure. Throughout the book, Syed highlights those he terms “Famous Failures,” including Steve Jobs, Jay-Z, and Jennifer Lawrence, while also providing a spotlight for those who mastered their talent by perseverance, such as Serena Williams, the Brontë sisters, and David Beckham. Though this self-help book has good intentions, however, it is a little heavy-handed on the perpetuation of an achievement-oriented life. Perhaps it is also good to acknowledge that not everybody need aspire to someone else’s definition of greatness.
Maybe it’s “awesome” to be average. (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: July 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-8753-5
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019
An introduction to ancient Egypt and the Pharaohs buried in the Valley of the Kings. The authors begin with how archaeologist Howard Carter found the tomb of King Tut, then move back 3,000 years to the time of Thutmosis I, who built the first tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Finally they describe the building of the tomb of a later Pharaoh, Ramses II. The backward-forward narration is not always easy to follow, and the authors attribute emotions to the Pharaohs without citation. For example, “Thutmosis III was furious [with Hatshepsut]. He was especially annoyed that she planned to be buried in KV 20, the tomb of her father.” Since both these people lived 3,500 years ago, speculation on who was furious or annoyed should be used with extreme caution. And the tangled intrigue of Egyptian royalty is not easily sorted out in so brief a work. Throughout, though, there are spectacular photographs of ancient Egyptian artifacts, monuments, tomb paintings, jewels, and death masks that will appeal to young viewers. The photographs of the exposed mummies of Ramses II, King Tut, and Seti I are compelling. More useful for the hauntingly beautiful photos than the text. (brief bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7922-7223-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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